Improvement in reversing devices for steam-engines



s. E. STOKES, 1r.

Improvement in Reversing Device for Steam-Engines.

910,129,372 Patentedjulyl,l872.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL E. STOKES, JR., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 129,372, dated July 16, 1872.

Specification describing a Reversing Device for Steam-Engines, invented by SAMUEL E. STOKES, J r., of the city and county of Phila delphia, State of Pennsylvania.

The object of my invention is the reversal of steam-engines without the aid of a link motion or other costly and elaborate reversing mechanism.

The general characteristic of my invention will be best observed in the sectional perspective view, Figure 1, in which A represents a portion of anordinary steam-cylinder, having the usual steam and exhaust ports. A slidevalve, B, operated by a single eccentric,con tains a hollow cylinder, D, having two sets of openings and passages bearing such relation to the openings of the valve that the course taken by the live and exhaust steam, and consequently the direction in which the crank turns, will depend upon the position to which the hollow cylinder has been adjusted. My invention is illustrated more in detail by the vertical sections, Figs. 2 and 3. As seen in Fig. 2, the piston F is about completing its movement in the direction of its arrow, and the crank-pin a is revolving in the direction of its arrow, while the valve B, operated by a single eccentric, b, or its equivalent, is moving in the direction shown, the hollow cylinder D being stationary. rlhe live steam, freely admitl ted to the interior of the steam-chest E and' that of the hollow cylinder D, is taking its course in the direction of the arrow through an opening, e, in the hollowcylinder, through the opening f in the slide valve, and through the port h into the front end of the cylinder, while the exhaust steam is passing from the 'rear end of the cylinder through the port h',

opening i in the slide-valve, thence along a passage, m, formed by a depression, m', in the hollow cylinder, and thence through the opening i' of the slide-valve into the usual exhaust-passage G. While the operating parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2,

and moving in the direction pointed out, I.

will suppose 'the hollow cylinder D to have been suddenly turned half round to the position shown in Fig. 3, when the course of both live and exhaust steam will be instantly changed, the live steam entering the rear of the cylinder while the steam passes from the front of the cylinder into the exhaust-passage, as pointed out bythe arrows, and consequently the direction of the crank will be reversed. This reversal is accomplished by the sudden presentation of' a new set of openings and passages for the direction of the live and exhaust steam to the openings of the slide-valve, as will be readily understood by any expert engineerto whom the drawing and the above description will aord sufficient explanation as to the manner in which the invention can be carried out in detail.

It is not necessary that the valve for directing the steam to and from the cylinder should be of the slide-valve order. In the modification, Fig. 4, for instance, M is a vibratin g valve containing a hollow cylinder, D, to theinterior of which live steam is admitted, this cylinder being adjustable to two positions, which determine the course of the live and exhaust 'p steam, andthe direction in which the engine turns. Other modifications of and alterations in the detailed construction of my invention will readily suggest themselves to engineers.

I claim- The combination of a valve ior admitting live steam to and directing the exhaust steam from the cylinder of a steam-engine, with a hollow cylinder or its equivalent, by the adjustment of which the course of the live and exhaust steam may be changed, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses: SAMUEL E. STOKES, JR.

WM. A. STEEL, HARRY W. DoUTx. 

